xxvi. 7. _Thou most upright, dost weigh the path of the
just._
We can scarcely find anywhere a more touching description of the God
of our salvation than that furnished by Job (Job xxxv. 10). God has
always given His people songs in the night, and in the night-time of
affliction He has furnished them with songs of consolation and
confidence. Our text is a part of one of those songs. The Chaldean
power threatened God's people. They were instructed to cherish a firm
faith in God. Not a breath of despair was to reach the camp of the
enemy; rather they were taught a scornful defiance of that proud king
who had defied the armies of the living God (Isa. xxxvii. 22).
"In that day shall this song be sung." The connection may teach us
that it is wisdom to treasure up a source of consolation against the
day of adversity. It is in spring that we are to prepare for winter;
in the morning of life to prepare for old age. The oil must be ready
for the midnight hour. No good soldier will run for his armour "when
the enemy comes in like a flood."
The text suggests _the Christian's reasons for security and repose
under the various events of life._ These are--
+I. The perfect wisdom and rectitude which marks God's universal
government.+ "Thou most upright, dost weigh," &c. This world is not a
neglected province of the Divine Dominions. That impression of the
Divine supremacy which inspires the songs of seraphs quickens the joy
of frail humanity. While thrones, principalities, and powers exclaim
as with the voice of many waters, "Alleluia, for the Lord God
Omnipotent reigneth," the inhabitants of the earth roll back the
response, "The Lord reigneth: let the earth rejoice."
The Christian knows no such Deity as Chance or Fate. This is God's
world, nor has He left it like an ocean weed to float at random on
the dark and shoreless ocean of uncertainty. What was worthy His
creation must be worth His control. God's method of government
partakes of His own perfections, and is therefore infinitely wise and
good. We rejoice that God ruleth over _all,_ and keeps the dominion
of the world in His own hands. The remotest consequences of things
are all seen by Him; whatever evil occurs He permits; whatever good
arises He originates; whatever series of causes come to a final
issue, the train was laid by His wisdom, conducted by His power,
controlled by His goodness. The topic, therefore, furnishes a ground
of security and repose to the Christian. Amidst the shakings of the
nations and the storms of life, it is delightful to know that the
sceptre of universal power is in the hand of Infinite Love. He
reigneth, be the earth ever so unquiet.
+II. The minute attention which God pays to the individual interests
of His people.+ This comes out whichever interpretation you put upon
the word here translated "weigh." It may mean, to weigh as in scales
or a balance (Ps. lviii. 2); but it may also mean, and does usually,
to make straight, or smooth, or level (Ps. lxxviii. 50, "He leveled a
path for his anger," [NAS], &c.) (_Barnes_). "He 'weighs' or
'ponders' (_s. w. a._ in Prov. iv. 26, v. 21) the path, with a view
to keeping it straight and level" (_Kay_). 1. The idea of "weighing"
implies careful impression. The balance is held with a careful hand,
and a keen eye is on both the scales. This is a source of comfort to
the just, and to them alone. 2. The same minute, condescending
observance is implied in the other interpretation. God will make a
plain, level way for His people to walk in. All obstacles to their
progress shall be removed. They never have any need to turn aside
from the well-constructed road of God's commandments into "crooked
ways" of man's devising (Ps. xvii. 3-5). They shall reach their
destination in the better world.--_Samuel Thodey._